The French government has criticised Russia’s presidential elections in which President Vladimir Putin emerged as the overwhelming winner, labelling the vote as yet another in the country held under fraught conditions.

“The conditions for a free, pluralistic and democratic election have once again not been met,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

It said the Russian elections, held from Friday to Sunday, had taken place in the context of increased oppression of civilian society as well as any form of opposition.

The ministry hailed the courage of the many Russian citizens who had protested peacefully against the attack on their political basic rights.

It said international standards regarding equal access to the press for all candidates were not met.

The fact that candidates who clearly positioned themselves against Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine were not admitted significantly reduced the pluralistic character of the vote, the ministry said.

France also condemned the election held in the Ukrainian territories illegally annexed by Russia.

“The illegal organisation of alleged elections in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia constitutes a new violation of international law and the United Nations Charter,” it said, adding that “France would never recognise these polls and their results.”

With almost 98 per cent of the ballots counted, Mr Putin garnered a landslide win of more than 87 per cent of votes, according to the electoral commission.

The record result that observers say was only possible through force, repression and fraud.

(dpa/NAN)